Dispute over emergency funding terms

Mr Vickery claimed the State Government had failed to meet an agreement to implement a new funding model to keep the hospital operating.

"It was our expectation that, by March 31, a new funding model would be in place, which would be adequate to ensure the continuation of current services provided by the Keith Hospital," he said.

"We were assured that during this six months a new funding model would be negotiated with those negotiations to commence by mid-October at the latest.

"They still have not started."

In a letter, seen by the ABC, that was sent to the Keith and District Hospital Board in December, Health Minister Stephen Wade said SA Health was "not in a position to provide additional funding" to the hospital this financial year.

He encouraged the hospital to "adjust the level of services it provides, at least in the short term, if it is not able to fund all of the services it currently delivers through to June 30".

In a follow-up letter this month he said the State Government's position had been "clear, consistent and generous".

'We have provided funding over and above what had been expected for a non-public hospital and I must ensure the responsible use of taxpayers' funds," Mr Wade said.

"I cannot favour one town over another — it would not be fair to other towns across country South Australia where there are 60 GP vacancies."

Mr Vickery said he had asked for another meeting with Mr Wade, but the Health Minister's office said they had not received a request.

Public meeting called

A public meeting will be held in Keith on Monday night, with questions invited by text message only before midnight tonight.

Local resident Miles Hannemann said he hoped the meeting would provide some clarity around the hospital's future.

"We really don't know how serious it is because we haven't been told," he said.

"We feel a little bit lost because no-one's listening to us. They just seem to have wiped their hands of us. And that's just not fair.

"The town is very proud of our hospital and we worked hard to have it."